Over the last few weeks, I have had a diagnosis of something called Brachial Neuritis, which is a pretty rare cause of nerve-type pain which usually effects one of your shoulders. I got this quite suddenly and honestly it has totally wiped me out. I went from training 5x/week in the gym and handling the life of both a surgical doctor and CEO to now just trying to survive on a daily basis and keep the pain controlled. It has totally affected my life and my whole outlook on things. Luckily I work in the peripheral nerve injury department so on one hand I am very unlucky to get that but I am also blessed to be in working in the best place possible - the glass is half full right?

Anyway, I am seeing a physiotherapist twice a week and taking medications like Gabapentin, Diazepam, Amitriptyline and Naproxen just to allow me to work and continue to help others through Wecudos and in the hospital.

I really wanted to write this to start communicating with people who have got acute/chronic pain and to share what has worked for one another. Despite treating patients for years, it is so weird and humbling to now see things from the other side of the coin and I have total respect for people with chronic painful diseases/injuries who manage to keep their lives together.

5 Replies

Thanks for your reply! Yes, I hope there are some people that can relate to what I am going through. I am trying physiotherapy and accupuncture this week. I think its important that I develop a routine for my rehab to make sure that it can fit around my working life. Its going to be tough but its got to be done!!!

Sounds very interesting actually. I am learning tonnes about the complementary side of things that us medics never got taught at university. My own journey is teaching me the huge impact they can have on someone's life and I am definitely willing to try anything right now.

That is so kind of you to offer me sessions for free - it is a very nice gesture. I will actually be "vlogging" soon too so will be a great way for your practice to get exposure and more real time feedback.

Bit late I know but have only just read you posts. My husband had the same things 8 years ago aged 57. It came out the blue and lasted almost two weeks. He could not get a diagnosis straight away and had to manage on Nurofen. He had serious muscle wastage and the pain was horrendous but.....having said all that he recovered and was back to normal within 6 months. So my message is hang on in there it will get better.

Heya, im sorry you're suffering. It sounds scary. I have nerve pain from an arm injury and also have fibromyalgia which is apparently neuropathic pain. I used to take a high dose of Pregabalin but I put on about 5 stone with it (argh!), so changed to Duloxetine. Duloxetine is much better for me- minimal arm pain and Im not trying to eat the contents of the fridge every night! Sometimes i still get the arm pain if Im stressed and tense, but i find if i consciously relax, especially my neck, it reduces.